1970-71: Outposts of English football

[wittonwarrior]

This is when I started going regular home and away.
Rochdale and Halifax were without doubt the two biggest dumps we went to, accompanied by just about the smallest crowds .
This was pre M42, so lots of trips by road via Tamworth, Measham, Ashby to reach the M1.
Man U in the home semi final is without doubt the greatest atmosphere ever at Villa Park.

Belle view matches the shay and spotland was just a little bit of an upgrade.   Layer road was another complete dump

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

We played at Belle Vue Doncaster on a friday night (very Tranmere) in March. The push for promotion was faltering after the League Cup final and we lost 2-1.
Doncaster themselves were struggling near the foot of the table and got relegated. Their young manager making his way in the game was booed all along the touchline by the home fans who clearly wanted him out. His name was Lawrie McMenemy.
I don't remember Layer Road Colchester as being particularly a dump for the league cup game down there, just very small compared with some of the big old northern grounds which often had a big covered terrace down the side not dissimilar to the Sty at that time.

[wittonwarrior]

We played at Belle Vue Doncaster on a friday night (very Tranmere) in March. The push for promotion was faltering after the League Cup final and we lost 2-1.
Doncaster themselves were struggling near the foot of the table and got relegated. Their young manager making his way in the game was booed all along the touchline by the home fans who clearly wanted him out. His name was Lawrie McMenemy.
I don't remember Layer Road Colchester as being particularly a dump for the league cup game down there, just very small compared with some of the big old northern grounds which often had a big covered terrace down the side not dissimilar to the Sty at that time.

Layer Road, wooden floors and that small split home end - small version of Ipswich North Stand